I haven't completely Kethup-ed to all posts yet but, suffice it to say, I have even greater commitments to God namely discipleship commitments. This is a thread of great joy for me...why? Because this verse rings true here experientially! And all His people said ...??? .....Fine - amen! I'm sure you said it...LOL
Something was brought to my attention in the last few hours that I wanted to ignore but I need to say something today about it principally in Christ.This subject was given to me by someone I trust stating there are posts about people in here. They were concerned...but I say be not concerned for anything except for their proper alignment with God.. You see this verse has power as we live it out in fellowship. We have not been attacked as it were - the Spirits are fighting for control of people thru coarse joking and spiritual conviction. When one lives a duplicitous life - flaming arrows come out to destroy that conviction. While the burden of the spirit comes out to kill the things of the flesh as well. To that - be concerned and pray in loving power and kindness for people who tease you thru coarse joking ... being slandered was not new to Jesus - even while people of His day thought it only playfully spiteful.
"We have renounced the hidden things of shame…" - (2 Corinthians 4:2)
Have we “renounced the hidden things of shame” in our lives - the things that our sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into the light? We can easily hide them.This is a good reminder for us all - Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light?
Then renounce it as soon as it comes to mind - renounce everything in its entirety until there is no hidden dishonesty or craftiness about you at all. Envy, jealousy, and strife don’t necessarily arise from your old nature of sin, but from the flesh which was used for these kinds of things in the past (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-3). You must maintain continual watchfulness so that nothing arises in your life that would cause you shame.
“…not walking in craftiness…” (2 Corinthians 4:2). This means not resorting to something simply to make your own point. This is a terrible trap. You know that God will allow you to work in only one way - the way of truth. Then be careful never to catch people through the other way - the way of deceit. If you act deceitfully, God’s blight and ruin will be upon you.
What may be craftiness for you, may not be for others - God has called you to a higher standard. Never dull your sense of being your Best for God - your best for His glory. For you, doing certain things would mean craftiness coming into your life for a purpose other than what is the highest and best, and it would dull the motivation that God has given you. Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God’s perspective. The greatest spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted.
There is nothing, naturally speaking, that makes us lose heart quicker than decay - the decay of bodily beauty, of natural life, of friendship, of associations, all these things make a man lose heart; but Paul says when we are trusting in Jesus Christ these things do not find us discouraged, light comes through them.
If something is real in Christ Satan wants to thwart it and stumble it up ... we should not be shocked or even surprised of this for Jesus has told us of this coming our way as well for those who live according to His will over their own.
I bury this issue in His lap just now, and let go of it completely. Our life is never a fight to save us. It is a fight to show others His massive Almighty love.
I would love to get a room with all of you individually and pray with each of you ...as well - three or more of you - behind closed doors in faithful prayer. For this is where God ignites us in joy and perspective of His will. Maybe we should all reserve a room! LOL.
..
Something was brought to my attention in the last few hours that I wanted to ignore but I need to say something today about it principally in Christ.This subject was given to me by someone I trust stating there are posts about people in here. They were concerned...but I say be not concerned for anything except for their proper alignment with God.. You see this verse has power as we live it out in fellowship. We have not been attacked as it were - the Spirits are fighting for control of people thru coarse joking and spiritual conviction. When one lives a duplicitous life - flaming arrows come out to destroy that conviction. While the burden of the spirit comes out to kill the things of the flesh as well. To that - be concerned and pray in loving power and kindness for people who tease you thru coarse joking ... being slandered was not new to Jesus - even while people of His day thought it only playfully spiteful.
"We have renounced the hidden things of shame…" - (2 Corinthians 4:2)
Have we “renounced the hidden things of shame” in our lives - the things that our sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into the light? We can easily hide them.This is a good reminder for us all - Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light?
Then renounce it as soon as it comes to mind - renounce everything in its entirety until there is no hidden dishonesty or craftiness about you at all. Envy, jealousy, and strife don’t necessarily arise from your old nature of sin, but from the flesh which was used for these kinds of things in the past (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-3). You must maintain continual watchfulness so that nothing arises in your life that would cause you shame.
“…not walking in craftiness…” (2 Corinthians 4:2). This means not resorting to something simply to make your own point. This is a terrible trap. You know that God will allow you to work in only one way - the way of truth. Then be careful never to catch people through the other way - the way of deceit. If you act deceitfully, God’s blight and ruin will be upon you.
What may be craftiness for you, may not be for others - God has called you to a higher standard. Never dull your sense of being your Best for God - your best for His glory. For you, doing certain things would mean craftiness coming into your life for a purpose other than what is the highest and best, and it would dull the motivation that God has given you. Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God’s perspective. The greatest spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted.
There is nothing, naturally speaking, that makes us lose heart quicker than decay - the decay of bodily beauty, of natural life, of friendship, of associations, all these things make a man lose heart; but Paul says when we are trusting in Jesus Christ these things do not find us discouraged, light comes through them.
If something is real in Christ Satan wants to thwart it and stumble it up ... we should not be shocked or even surprised of this for Jesus has told us of this coming our way as well for those who live according to His will over their own.
I bury this issue in His lap just now, and let go of it completely. Our life is never a fight to save us. It is a fight to show others His massive Almighty love.
I would love to get a room with all of you individually and pray with each of you ...as well - three or more of you - behind closed doors in faithful prayer. For this is where God ignites us in joy and perspective of His will. Maybe we should all reserve a room! LOL.
..
Amen ... )
